We
were finally on the start line at Greenwich Park, suspiciously weighing up the
prospect of 500km on two wheels. The Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, London to
Paris 2014, charity cycle ride, was about to begin. And we were doing it!

The
mass peleton moved through central London traffic as one. We had motorcycle
outriders who shepherded us along but were not permitted to close the UK roads.

It was more akin to a bike commute than a mass participation sportive. By the
time we reached the south coast, our forearms and faces were caked in urban grime.
Our distressed appearances thus vindicating the moto rider who’d prophetically
told a pedestr…